The Peddler Steak House — Restaurant in Raleigh

This would be a second visit to this steak house with very little chance of returning for a third.

The standoffish hostess was not interested in holding any sort of conversation with any of us. Her short, sarcastic response, combined with the look on her face was a bit toxic. She was obviously quite irritated with everything around her as she continued to work while mumbling under her breath.

We were eventually seated after a 15 minute wait only to wait an additional 15 minutes for someone to approach our table and inquire about our drink orders and offer ice water. Eventually a very friendly staff member approach our table to take our drink orders, she also informed us our server was someone other than her and that she would return with ice water for the table while the rest of our needs would handled by our assigned server. The table we were seated at could have been named the Bermuda Triangle, since she literally disappeared and never returned. Once again we sat patiently waiting for someone to return while all the other tables around us received service, but nobody returned to ours.

Being back to where we started while sitting patiently at an empty table, waiting for someone to return with ice water and finally take our drink orders, we eventually had to approach a server and ask for assistance. The server we approached just happened to be assigned to our table at which time he finally offered us his services. He took our drink orders and offered to bring that rare and infamous ice water we were promised so long ago. I was exceptionally happy to see him actually return with the, twice promised, ice water and our drinks.

So 45 minutes after arriving here and being seated, we finally had our drinks, HALLELUJAH! Since we had some extra time on our hands to discuss appetizers we decided to try and rush our orders and ensure we received the fresh bread baskets. The bread baskets arrived, it was very fresh and warm but obviously did not last long. We asked for more bread baskets, which arrived with our appetizers. I ordered the mozzarella sticks and found them to be mediocre at best. The cheese didn't seem fresh, it was hard and I had just concluded that they were store bought, but at this stage in my hunger they satisfied my palate.

They are still operating a virtual salad bar, not much has changed in regards to the options and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the salad that I ordered. The meat cutter provided the verbal menu and took our orders, I chose the Filet Mignon, medium rare, sweet potato souffle and I specifically asked for burnt onions to go with my steak.

At this point our dinner was finally moving along as we hoped, our entrees were delivered as ordered with the exception of the burnt onions, I specifically asked for. The steak was excellent, it was cooked just as I asked and obviously an excellent cut of meat. The sweet potato souffle was phenomenal, slightly sweet but not over the top, always a favorite for me and large enough for two people. We decide to forgo dessert on the basis of time constraints and the fact we were already three hours in and ready to get out of that booth.

In my opinion this establishment is not a finely tuned machine, it is obviously disorganized and lacking that level of customer service a finer steak house should be delivering. They were not prepared to immediately seat guests after opening the dining room and responded in a very disorganized manner while providing very inconsistent customer service. The first point of contact, the hostess, gave us the impression that we were inconveniencing her just by being there for dinner. I would recommend the hostess take the time to offer the bar for those guests waiting to be seated, this would benefit the guest and the establishment.

I would have to say overall the price point for this establishment is too...

4-26-24 update: I would much rather be making a positive review, but it would be a lie.

“Best in Raleigh?” I'm assuming this was a biased, limited and targeted survey. Better defined as “Was really good, maybe the best at one time. Now? Not so much.

I requested a 12-ounce medium-rare ribeye steak but received a well-done strip steak instead.

My wife’s chicken dish was overcooked and tough to the point of being inedible.

The salad bar always meet our expectations, and the sweet potato was satisfactory. My wife enjoyed her tea. While their prime rib is very good, I wasn’t in the mood for broiled meat. The pork chops and salmon at The Peddler are commendable. The restaurant, known as a “Steak House” though, boasts having the best steaks in Raleigh.

However, The Peddler seems to be coasting on its former glory. I’m uncertain how long this can last once their longstanding clientele is gone. I’ve rarely seen younger patrons there unless accompanied by their parents. It appears they prefer dining elsewhere.

Their inability to cook a medium-rare steak properly is baffling. Regardless of the time period—pre-COVID, during COVID, or post-COVID—nearly eight out of ten steaks I’ve ordered have been significantly overcooked.

I’m reminded of the saying about the definition of insanity as I ponder their consistent cooking errors. The steak lacked any trace of pink in the center, leading me to doubt the presence of a meat thermometer near the grill.

Typically, I would leave the overcooked steak untouched and request its removal from the bill. This time, feeling hungry, I asked for a remake. However, realizing my wife was ready to depart, I opted for it to be packed to-go without checking.

My patience has worn thin, recognizing that the same staff, using the same grill and routine, are unlikely to change. The frustration and wait are no longer justifiable.

Later, upon inspection, I found the steak to be just as overdone as the first. I contacted the manager to voice my disappointment. Having been a regular customer since my senior prom in 1985, visiting at least 8-10 times a year typically, I had set a clear standard of expectation.

The manager, Emily, took my details and consulted with the staff. Afterward, she curtly suggested that perhaps "The Peddler wasn’t the right steakhouse for me" (her exact words). She processed a refund without my request, indicating that nothing had changed on their end after 20 years of her service. The implication was clear: the issue was with me.

As a result, I will no longer recommend or support an establishment where the owners allow their management team to have such an nonchalant, vitriolic, and offending attitude. Sadly, they have lost my patronage.

It seems my expectations are too high, considering the plethora of dining options available, some with twice number of Google reviews and an overall better rating. They are within a mile east if you do a quick Google search.

Her message was unmistakable: “Please don’t return.”

Previous review pre-covid: Great hidden gem, locals know it for the great tasting steaks and fresh salad bar. Dimmed lighting, though it still feels comfortable whether you're dressed business...

Not allergy friendly or accommodating by any means. First let me say though.. the streak was really good. Infact it was better than a lot of places I have been to around here. We took our family out to dinner, a party of seven. We called the day before to see if we could make a reservation but we were told they don't do reservations unless it is a party of eight or more, first come first serve. That being said I was a little confused as to why she was so shocked she seemed a little irritated about having to accommodate us. She quickly caught herself and was polite to me but as soon as she turned from us her face and reaction to the staff confirmed her original reaction. Maybe she was having a bad or a rough start to the opening that night? Hard to say. I am pretty sure she was also the manager.

The meals consisted of salad, bread, steak and a veggie. Since I have a severe egg allergy I couldn't eat from the salad bar since it is impossible not to have it be cross contaminated (the lady that answered the phone the day before also suggested I skip this portion of the course). I asked if the bread contained egg. The waitress asked a cook and with what seemed like with no thought he said no. I did not feel safe with his quick response as 9/10 times when I have pushed for someone to read the ingredients and double check to confirm, surprise surprise it has egg. Since I don't want to end my dinner with a extended stay at the hospital I had asked her to please have someone check and actually read it. She tried to find out but was told by her manager that "if I was that concerned about it then I shouldn't eat it". I found that to be extremely rude since we are spending nearly $300 on our families meal. Honestly no matter the cost that is just bad service. I could understand if they were slammed but it is covid and it wasn't wall to wall people. Our waitress did seem to be running her butt off but the manager wasn't. She could have very well stepped in there help and take a look at it herself. Anyways, now I am left with nothing but a steak and a potato. With that response I didn't bother to ask about any of the other food options on the menu since someone would have to check those as well ( I also have other food allergies beside just egg. A few in which thankfully I can take a high dose of benadryl and deal with the side effects). I try my best to not ask about everything on the menus and ask a million questions when I go to places. I always look ahead of time and see if they have an allergy menu so I can plan my mean ahead. If I hate to deal with it i know other people do! Either way.. not exactly worth the $40 that I had paid for a "meal". I did order extra veggies on the side to have some kind of verity to my meal. For people like me with a bigger family and allergies... You may want to look at other options. If not, overall they...